April 27, 2001
Box Score 1
Box Score 2
WEST LAFAYETTE, IND. - The University of Illinois softball team will be the first first-year Big Ten program to participate in the conference tournament. The Illini clinched a spot in the conference's post-season tourney with a 3-0 win over Purdue in game one of a doubleheader in West Lafayette. Purdue (31-23-1, 7-11) came back to win the second game, 6-0, however, keeping their post-season hopes alive.
Illinois (45-20, 11-7) broke out of its mini hitting slump with three hits and three runs in the fifth inning of the opener. The Illini scored three runs in the game for the first time in eight contests dating back to a 9-0 win over IUPUI on April 27.
The Illini out-hit the Boilermakers, 6-4, led by Erin Jones, who was 2-for-2 with a walk, an RBI, and a run scored. Left fielder Erin Montgomery was 2-for-4 with a run scored as well. Kathryn Nevard allowed just four hits in recording her ninth shutout of the year, the 20th time the Illini have shutout an opponent. Nevard struck out five to improve her record to 24-8.
The Illini scored all their runs in the fifth after two were out. Erin Montgomery singled to center field, stole second, and scored on a single to center field. The Illini weren't done, however, Lindsey Hamma walked paving the way for Janna Sartini, who supplied her Big Ten leading 35th and 36th RBI of the year with a double down the right field line, plating both Jones and Hamma.
Purdue got the leadoff batter on base in the seventh inning, but Illinois turned its 17th double play of the year, Nevard to the shortstop Hamma to the first baseman Alicia Hammel to erase any hopes of a Boiler rally.
Purdue struck early in the second game. Katie Crabtree led off the contest with a double, was sacrificed to third, and scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Heidi Foster in the first inning.
Illinois pitcher Amanda Fortune (19-12) retired the next eight batters in order, but Purdue added two more runs in the fifth. Andrea Roush drove home one run, while the second scored on a fielding error. The Boilers put the game away with two more runs in the sixth. Heidi Foster and Laura Martin each doubled in the inning, and Lynne Tortorelli supplied a run-scoring single. The fourth Illinois error of the game allowed the final Purdue run to score in the sixth.
The Illini mounted just one threat in the second game. Karyn Bird singled with one out in the third inning. Erin Montgomery followed with a double to left center field. Bird tried to score, but was thrown out, and Illinois was unable to score.
Purdue pitcher Meagan Dooley (11-7) scattered six hits and retired the side in order in the second, fourth and fifth innings.
Illinois concludes the regular season conference schedule with games at Indiana Saturday (2 p.m.) and Sunday (1 p.m.).
